Lancaster and Surrey Join Growing List of UK Universities Approved for Indian Branch Campuses

UK Government Backs University Partnerships in India to Boost Export Revenue and Global Reach

With tightening immigration policies in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, UK universities are rapidly expanding their international student recruitment efforts, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. India has emerged as a key focus, driven by strong government backing and new educational collaborations between the UK and India. During his first official visit to India in October 2025, education came to the forefront of the bilateral talks. His support for partnerships of UK universities in India was reflected in the granting of approval for branch campuses for Lancaster University and the University of Surrey. The Prime Minister reiterated that this would ensure that more Indian students would now be benefiting from British education while contributing to the UK economy.

Several other UK universities, including Aberdeen, Bristol, Coventry, Southampton, Liverpool, Queen's University Belfast, and York, are setting up or have already received approvals for campuses in India. These institutions are listed amongst the 2026 QS top 600 rankings, more than half of them being in the top 200, which shows the high quality of UK higher education in India. The expansion is supported by India's 2020 policy allowing foreign universities to operate locally and by the India–UK Vision 2025 agreement. The bilateral framework serves to foster collaboration in trade and technology research and transnational education. These partnerships offer India a way to meet the demand for higher education, which is projected at 70 million seats by 2035. For the UK, the partnerships provide an avenue to enhance export earnings and expand soft power across the region.

On the heels of recent changes in the visa and immigration policy regarding students in the UK, there has been a change. In 2023, the UK government amended regulations barring student dependants from entering the country, which came into enforcement starting January 2024. More changes are likely to come, including a reduction in the Graduate Route from 24 months to only 18 months for undergraduate and master's students by 2027. This has already brought a very slight decline in the number of Indian students going to the UK.

Conversely, transnational enrolments seem to be upward-thrusting. According to the Universities UK data, the number of students registered in UK higher education programmes delivered abroad grew by 7.8% from 2022–23 to 2023–24. If this trend continues, transnational enrolments might outpace onshore international students by 2024–25. Meanwhile, the target to enhance international student revenue from £32 billion in 2022 to £50 billion has already been set, with branch campuses being a significant instrument in achieving this.

Setting up campuses abroad is undoubtedly a tricky business, especially regarding India, where rules and requirements for regulatory setup and infrastructure are somewhat cumbersome. This has, however, opened a gateway for third-party providers like GEDU Global Education, a company based in the UK with an operational presence in 15 countries. GEDU has already invested £25 million into India and is set to invest another £200 million in the next three years. Its largest campus is located in GIFT City, Gujarat, where Queen's University Belfast recently opened. Coventry and Surrey are projected to follow by 2026 or 2027, with a new education hub planned near Delhi by 2027/28.

Compared to other countries, the UK stands tall in transnational education in India. Australia currently has two functioning campuses, with additional ones in the pipeline. The US has none as yet, although the Illinois Institute of Technology is licensed to open in 2026. Canada, for one, has no branch campuses, with only one each from Italy and Malaysia having received the green light.

Writing for Universities UK, Dr David Pilsbury of Oxford International Education Group has observed that transnational education (TNE) is no longer a niche activity but a strategic priority. He emphasised that the UK must start now to be concerned with education delivery worldwide and not merely the attraction of students into the UK; otherwise, the country risks losing its crown as the leader in international higher education.

Editor's Note:

The renewed focus on transnational education in India by the UK is both strategic and imperative. As immigration rules tighten and UK study visa policies get more restrictive, universities must extend beyond traditional recruitment models to sustain a global reach and financial resilience. The expansion of UK higher education in India through branch campuses and long-term partnerships responds directly to these pressures. In supporting UK university partnerships in India, Prime Minister Keir Starmer represents a change in the UK's vision for international student mobility. By supporting institutions such as Lancaster and Surrey in setting up campuses in India, the government is not only enhancing educational ties but also protecting the sector's export earner. It is a sensible move, especially as domestic visa changes threaten to reduce the number of Indian students studying in the UK. The Head of State's remarks about the economic and educational benefits of the collaboration are well substantiated. The increasing demand in India for higher education stands as a major opportunity, and UK universities are doing right by making their case as trusted partners. The signing of the India–UK Vision 2025 agreement solidifies this trajectory even further, as it provides a framework to allow for deeper engagement in education, research, and innovation. The growth of transnational education in India will critically depend on third-party providers such as GEDU Global Education. They are creating value through investment and infrastructure, enabling UK institutions to navigate complex regulatory environments and deliver high-quality education overseas. There are challenges, of course, but these changes illustrate a wider transformation of how universities operate across the globe.

Skoobuzz underscores that the UK's transnational strategy is no longer optional but a necessity. The sector must adopt disruptive modes of delivery and student engagement to remain competitive and inclusive. While momentum in India is encouraging, it requires sustained investment, policy alignment, and institutional commitment. The UK cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

FAQs

1. How is UK higher education expanding its presence in India?

UK universities are rapidly increasing their transnational footprint in India by establishing branch campuses and forming academic partnerships. Institutions such as Lancaster, Surrey, Aberdeen, Bristol, Coventry, and Queen’s University Belfast are among those approved or already operating in India, supported by the India–UK Vision 2025 agreement.

2. What opportunities are available for Indian students to study in the UK? 

Indian students can now access British degrees both in the UK and at UK university campuses in India. These branch campuses offer high-quality programmes aligned with UK standards, allowing students to gain a British education without leaving their home country.

3. What are the new UK student visa requirements for Indian students in 2025?

As of January 2024, most international students can no longer bring dependents on a UK study visa. Additionally, from 2027, the Graduate Route will be reduced from 24 to 18 months for undergraduate and master’s students. These changes may affect the appeal of onshore study in the UK.

4. Why is the UK focusing on strengthening educational ties with India?

The UK government sees India as a key strategic partner in education, trade, and research. With India’s growing demand for higher education, projected to reach 70 million places by 2035, UK universities are well-positioned to support this need while expanding their global influence and revenue.

5. How do UK universities collaborate with Indian institutions?

UK universities collaborate through joint programmes, research partnerships, and the establishment of branch campuses. These collaborations are supported by bilateral frameworks like the India–UK Vision 2025 and facilitated by third-party providers such as GEDU Global Education.

6. What is the role of GEDU Global Education in UK–India university partnerships?

GEDU Global Education is a UK-based organisation that helps universities establish branch campuses abroad. In India, GEDU has invested £25 million and plans to invest £200 million more by 2028. It supports infrastructure, compliance, and operations, enabling universities to expand efficiently.

7. How does international student mobility between the UK and India benefit both countries?

For the UK, transnational education in India generates export revenue and enhances soft power. For India, it helps address the shortage of higher education places and supports economic development through access to world-class education and research collaboration.

8. What is the UK government’s strategy for transnational education?

The UK government aims to increase international student revenue from £32 billion in 2022 to £50 billion. With tighter immigration controls, transnational education is becoming central to this strategy, offering a sustainable model for growth without increasing net migration.

9. Which UK universities have branch campuses in India?

As of 2025, UK universities with operational or approved branch campuses in India include Lancaster, Surrey, Aberdeen, Bristol, Coventry, Southampton, Liverpool, Queen’s University Belfast, and York. Many of these institutions rank within the QS top 200 globally.

10. How does academic quality compare at UK branch campuses in India?

All UK universities with branch campuses in India are ranked within the QS top 600, with over half in the top 200. These campuses follow UK academic standards, ensuring Indian students receive a high-quality education equivalent to that offered in the UK.